AK, Boozer questionable News Utah Jazz

Well-rested, a bit tanner in several cases and feeling re-energized, the Utah Jazz returned from the All-Star break to some encouraging news. At practice Monday night, the Jazz learned they'll get one ? and possibly two ? of their injured players back in the lineup tonight.

Brevin Knight, the backup point guard who missed two games with a left quadriceps contusion, is healthy enough to go again. But fans hoping to attend the Jazz's "Welcome Back Party" for both Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko might not want to buy tickets for the 7 p.m. home game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The news wasn't quite that encouraging. Though the season debut of the entire Jazz squad could happen soon, very soon even, you might not want to click the "Purchase Now" icon just quite yet for seats to the upcoming Boston, New Orleans and Atlanta home games. Oh, so close ? oh, so far from pinpointing an exact date for the return of all of the Jazz's major players. Kirilenko appears to be the closest to returning. The Jazz's sixth-man, who's missed the past 11 games with a right ankle injury, practiced with the team Monday for the first time since his recent surgery. It's possible, depending how his ankle responds to his first full-contact action in a while, that the Russian small forward could play tonight. "I'm feeling pretty good," Kirilenko said. "I think the main point is no pain," he added. "No pain, you're good to go." As for Boozer, who's missed 41 games with his injured/surgically repaired left knee, he warmed up and stretched with the team at Monday's practice. He also did his usual rehab work in the exercise room and the pool. But the two-time All-Star power forward isn't quite up to full speed just yet. He has, however, been running lately at an easy, non-sprinting pace and has started doing light jumping and shooting drills. "It feels great. I had a great break," said Boozer of his knee and his recent rehabbing time in Miami. "Got stronger, it's gotten a lot stronger. We'll see how it goes." Boozer, who hasn't played since Nov. 19, said he's "got to be smart about it" when it comes to finally returning to the court. While Kirilenko was hopeful to see action tonight, Boozer was extra cautious about giving an exact timeline. Both players at one point previously said they wanted to be back against the Grizzlies. "I can listen to my knee and see how it goes this week, today, tomorrow and see what it's saying to me," Boozer said. "If it's feeling good, I'll be back soon." The Jazz, understandably, are eagerly anticipating having a full, healthy squad on the court ? or at least available on the bench ? for the first time this season. Consistency has been hard to establish this season, considering the 30-23 squad has missed 134 man-games to injury and have used 14 different starting lineups. "We need all the help we can get," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "It's going to be a huge lift. That's a huge part of our team that we've been missing all season," added Jazz point guard Deron Williams in regards to the much-ballyhooed imminent return of Boozer and Kirilenko. "So, hopefully," he added, "those guys can get back as soon as possible, because we're going to need them if we're going to make a strong push." Though the Jazz admit there might be a bit of an reacclamation period, they also agree that having two of their most potent players back will only make them stronger and more dangerous as the playoffs approach. Plus, while the Jazz are hoping to make the playoffs, they're also wanting to climb up from the unenviable No. 8 spot they currently occupy. "You have Boozer down there low it frees up Memo (Okur), it frees up shooters," Williams said. "And AK, what he brings every night defensively with his energy, it's always a plus." With only 29 games remaining and a brutal road schedule ahead in March and April, the sooner the reunion happens, the better. "We've got to get them back, got to get 'em back to playing Basketball and then get into a rhythm of playing with each other," Sloan said. "That doesn't come over night. So it takes a while for that to happen." The Jazz are, however, encouraged that they're able to discuss a potentially healthy team. "It's going to be great to just be out there and just be back and just give us a huge boost," Boozer said, "(and) give us an intimidation factor where other teams are more intimidated by our team with us being healthy with me and AK getting back. That alone will give us more confidence on the court, and my play will speak for itself." As soon as his knee says the magic words, that is. E-mail: jody@desnews.com